Tras el desastre de Fukushima, que provocó el cierre de los reactores nucleares de Japón, la industria del carbón se apresuró a llenar el vacío energético. Mientras la activista climática Kimiko Hirata veía cómo decenas de propuestas para nuevas plantas de carbón surgían silenciosamente en todo el país, cada una de ellas asegurando décadas de emisiones futuras, decidió hacerlas imposibles de ignorar. Ella comparte cómo un pequeño y audaz movimiento de la sociedad civil se enfrentó a una economía dependiente de los combustibles fósiles y logró que la gente dijera 'sí' a un futuro renovable.

Una guía rápida para abandonar el carbón

When Japan’s nuclear reactors shut down after Fukushima, coal plants surged as a stopgap, risking decades of future emissions. A grassroots network mapped every project and rallied communities, achieving the cancellation of 17 new coal plants—preventing 50 million tons of CO2 each year. By shifting from saying no to building a strong yes for renewables, advocates are proving that even small groups can spark national change. Now, the focus moves from stopping coal to transforming the entire economy toward clean energy, city by city.

From Coal’s Comeback to a Renewable Revolution in Japan

After the Fukushima disaster, Japan faced a surge in coal plant proposals, risking decades of increased carbon emissions. A determined grassroots push led to the cancellation of 17 coal projects—avoiding 50 million tons of CO2 yearly, equal to removing eight million cars from the roads. By building networks, engaging communities, and focusing on real-world concerns like jobs and health, activists shifted the conversation from saying no to fossil fuels toward a collective yes for renewables. The ongoing challenge is to inspire systemic change, overcoming skepticism about renewable energy’s reliability and cost.